Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not elect their representatives in the same way. In this guide, we have gathered the key points so you can organise yourself at your own pace and with more confidence.
The UK Parliament and first past the post
In a general election for the UK Parliament, members of the House of Commons in Westminster are elected. Each constituency chooses one Member of Parliament (MP): the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not reach 50%. This system is known as first past the post or a simple majority system.
For example, if three candidates receive 40%, 35%, and 25%, the first wins. The votes for the others do not convert into seats in that constituency. The House of Lords is the other chamber of Parliament and is not chosen through these votes.
First past the post is used to elect MPs to Westminster in all four countries, but not for all elections in the UK.
England: there is no separate English parliament
England elects MPs to the UK Parliament using first past the post. Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it does not have its own national parliament with devolved powers.
Some local decisions are made in councils and mayoralties; their electoral systems can vary. Westminster also legislates on matters that affect only England.
Scotland: Parliament at Holyrood
The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh legislates on devolved matters, such as health and education. Its members (MSPs) are elected using the additional member system: each voter has one vote for a constituency candidate and another for a regional party list.
Constituency seats are decided by first past the post, while regional seats help to adjust the overall result. Scotland also sends MPs to Westminster in general elections, which are a separate vote.
Northern Ireland: Assembly at Stormont
The Northern Ireland Assembly is based at Stormont, Belfast, and forms part of a power-sharing system of government. Its members (MLAs) are elected via the single transferable vote (STV): the elector ranks candidates by preference in multi-seat constituencies.
It is not first past the post for the Assembly. In contrast, Northern Irish MPs for Westminster are indeed elected by first past the post in general elections.
Wales: the Senedd
Wales has its own parliament, the Senedd, in Cardiff. From the 2026 elections, its members are elected via closed proportional lists: the voter chooses a party list in their constituency. This is different from the additional member system used previously.
As in Scotland and Northern Ireland, devolved powers do not include all policies: defence and foreign policy, for example, fall under the UK's remit. For Westminster, Wales votes using first past the post.